Dialysis unit desperately needed in Glace Bay, says local man

Cape Breton Post

Published: Nov 10, 2015 at midnight

Updated: Oct 02, 2017 at 11:35 a.m.

GLACE BAY — Although $1.7 million was willed towards a renal dialysis unit in Glace Bay in 1996 there is still no sign of one coming, which dismays a Glace Bay man who was on dialysis years ago and again for the past two years.

"I received a kidney about 16 years ago, it rejected a little over two years ago," said Darrell Eagles, 41.

Eagles who is forced to travel to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital three times a week for treatment, says new patients are constantly being brought in and it's packed to capacity.

"When new patients come in there's no where to put them."

Eagles said its not unusual to get bumped for treatment. There are times he hasn't got home until 7 or 8 p.m. He said although a unit in Glace Bay would result in a significant impact for he and his family, others in need of this treatment are suffering far worse.

"I'm not making waves for myself. I'm making waves for the people in wheelchairs"

"I can at least walk, I deal with it. You have someone 60 or 70 years old sitting outside for four hours waiting for an ambulance to come get them. If there was a unit in Glace Bay they could at least get back to their hospital bed pretty quick."

He said as well there are lots of patients from Glace Bay and area and in the event of bad weather, it's serious.

In 1996, the estate of the late Thomas Allan Peach left $1.7 million to the Glace Bay General Hospital. The money was to be invested and the interest used to buy equipment and if a new hospital was constructed, the capital was to be used to establish a kidney care unit in memory of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Peach.

The hospital later closed and a new one built in a different location, and later became part of the Cape Breton District Health Authority. The intentions of the will were challenged by the CBDHA, the Glace Bay General Hospital Charitable Foundation and the Salvation Army of Canada. In the spring of 2011, the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia has ruled in favour of the CBDHA.

In an interview with the Cape Breton Post in 2011, John Malcom, former CEO for the CBDHA, said a dialysis unit in Glace Bay was part of the health authority's long-range plan because of an aging population and high rate of diabetes. He said a satellite dialysis unit was being implemented in Inverness and the Glace Bay Hospital was next on the list, but was not expected for some time.

Greg Boone, spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Health Authority, said as recognized by the court, any decision in relation to establishing a dialysis unit would need additional funding.

He said at this point, any plan for that is being considered and would be in the context of all the other clinical and capital priorities in the area and across the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

Boone said in the meantime the money is being held in compliance with the court’s decision.

"From what I know of this, there is no time limit in relation to using the money from the estate."

There are 35 people from Glace Bay and area who receive treatment in the renal dialyses until at the regional hospital.

Glace Bay MLA Geoff MacLellan said he's had a number of Glace Bay residents contact him in regards to renal dialysis. He's also familiar with the suffering of the patients, as his own father was on dialysis for five years.

"Being familiar with the program at the regional, I know there are challenges with people getting access and having that consistent ability to get out to the regional for this life saving service."

MacLellan, also minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, said he has spoken to the minister of health, the deputy minister of the Nova Scotia Health Authority about this option.

MacLellan said nothing has been decided but he's involved and is interested.

"I think when you look at the demographics, aging population and what's required in Glace Bay, it makes increasing sense that we look at a renal dialysis option," he said. "Ultimately for me the goal is to get the right services to the Glace Bay Hospital that fits our community. If it’s renal dialysis, then we should be taking a serious look at that and finding the best way to move forward."